cross cantis

[AngryScientist]

thinking more seriously of throwing my hat in the D2R2 ring, need to upgrade the terrible stopping abilities of my cross rig.

what are the best canti brakes out there. i'm not too interested in carbon anything. i'm wanting to stick with cantis over mini-v's, and am looking at the Paul neo retro and the trp euro-x canti. what else should i be looking at? what works?

http://www.trpbrakes.com/ppic/wfbr0ijx178g215_b.jpg

http://www.paulcomp.com/images/neoretromain.png

[jr59]

I know that they aren't high zoot, but the Tektro 720 really do work well with kool stop pads.

[e-RICHIE]

it's simple (http://www.canecreek.com/component-other?product=cross-scx-5) atmo -

http://www.performancebike.com/images/performance/products/large/50-7844-BLK-FRONT.jpg

ps

arrange disorder

;) ;) ;)
;) ;) ;)
:D :D :o

[rockdude]

I am a Paul convert. I have had several different models and Pauls are the best if you don't mind the price. ez to set up, good stopping power and American made. FYI- Pads are very important in getting the most out of any canti. I use Swissstop yellow. Very expensive but I have found that they are the best.

[veloduffer]

+1 on the Cane Creeks. Work well, moderately priced and easy to set up. I like them better than the Paul's, TRP and FSA cantilevers, all of which I have or had.

[Aaron O]

I'm really glad that you asked this, I would ride my Poprad more if it didn't have those wretched Shorty 4s. I didn't want to drop the coin on the Pauls and was thinking of going with a touring canti...I'm definitely going to try out the Cane Creek suggestion above.

[Gummee]

I've run OnZa HOs, Suntour XC Pro, Mafacs, the new Shimano canti (forget the number) and one or two others that I don't remember off the top of my head. They're all more or less equal once you get em set up right. IOW so-so.

Not what you want to hear, but I'm going mini-v for this racing season. At least in the front. IDK about the back. I can already skid the back with the Shimano cantis I have on back there.

If you go old school and get some Mafacs, get adjustable pads. Makes a HUGE difference.

M

[fourflys]

I'd take a hard look at the TRP CX9 or the Tektro version if you want cheaper... Mini-V's are superb stopping power with STI levers and I imagine would be just fine for something like D2R2... Molly Cameron runs them in the NorthWest...

[stephenmarklay]

I just picked up a Poprad too. From what I have read if you can put the cable hanger on the fork (my Poprad can) you will eliminate most or all of the chatter. I am going to do that before I decide to stick with the canti or go mini v.

[fiamme red]

If money is no object, Bruce Gordon makes outstanding cantilever brakes:

http://brucegordoncycles.bigcartel.com/product/bgc-cantilever-brakes

http://www.bgcycles.com/accessories.html

[fatallightning]

shorty ultimates in the narrow configuration front and rear

[Aaron O]

If money is no object, Bruce Gordon makes outstanding cantilever brakes:

http://brucegordoncycles.bigcartel.com/product/bgc-cantilever-brakes

http://www.bgcycles.com/accessories.html

DUDE!

If my Dia Compe NGC 982s ever fail, those are the replacement.

I should also say - for a long arm canti, the Dia Compe NGC 982s are the best I've ever used. By FAR. Best part? QR straddle.

[v531xc]

I've got the Bruce Gordon cantis and love them.

I've had Paul touring cantis and they worked well, too. I don't care much for the Cane Creek or the Shimano options, but they are cheap and easy to set up.

The TRP are nice, but expensive when compared to the Origin8 or VO options which work just as well with good pads.

That being said, pads are really important. I like the dual compound kool stop.

good luck with making your decision!

-Varun

[v531xc]

the Dia Compe NGC 982s are the best I've ever used. By FAR. Best part? QR straddle.

Aaron, those QR straddles are good. I have hoarded a few of them, but they do get rusty in actual use.

[buck-50]

These were the best cantis I ever used- easy to set up, powerful, light, cheap, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Kore-Race-Cantilever-Brake-Front/dp/B002EWAB6K

[bfd]

I've run OnZa HOs, Suntour XC Pro, Mafacs, the new Shimano canti (forget the number) and one or two others that I don't remember off the top of my head. They're all more or less equal once you get em set up right. IOW so-so.

Not what you want to hear, but I'm going mini-v for this racing season. At least in the front. IDK about the back. I can already skid the back with the Shimano cantis I have on back there.

If you go old school and get some Mafacs, get adjustable pads. Makes a HUGE difference.

M

Agree, I'm running Suntour XC pros cantis with Campy ergo shifters on my cross bike and find the stopping power to be only fair. Further, I'm constantly adjusting the toe-in because if I don't, my fork shutter and chatters like crazy.

At some point, I'm going to put on at least a front mini-v brake. I've heard great things about the $15-20 Tektro mini-v that supposedly pretty much matches its more expensive TRP cousin. Good Luck!

[xeladragon]

TRP EuroXs came with my cross bike. They're not the best for commuting when you occasionally need to make quick stops, however, they do the job. I'd like to try the Avid Shorty Ultimates at some point.

[sg8357]

Paul Touring canti's can work really well if the bosses are in the right place.
The reduced mud clearance and mushy feel are off putting, but they
really do stop.

Geometry is destiny when it comes to canti's, which are really 3 different
kinds of brakes, hi, lo and medium profile.


Good article on the complications of canti geometry.
http://www.cxmagazine.com/avid-shorty-ultimate-cantilever-brakes-cyclocross-review

[spacemen3]

Another option: IRD Cafams (http://www.interlocracing.com/brake_canti.html).

[mtbwrx]

I have the TRP Mag's with green swiss stop pads.
I highly suggest either the green pads or the yellow.
Pads make a world of difference on your aluminum rims and or / carbon ones.

I would say the only time I wished I'd had more power in the back was during a "frankenbike" type of 50 mile race. We covered dirt trails, horse trails, downhill switchbacks, etc....the cross canti's just don't cut it on the super steep stuff on a cross bike, but I managed ok, who needs brakes anyway.

The Avid Shorty Ultimate's became really popular last year around the midwest near the end of the season.
I have also heard great things about the Avid CX9 - appears like the older xtr v brake design, but works with road levers. I think Molly Cameron or someone "cross famous" was racing them last year.

[Ferrous (Fe)]

I've been using the Paul's touring canti's and loving them.

[bfd]

I've been using the Paul's touring canti's and loving them.

Yeah, I really wanted to get some brakes from Paul being that they were Made in the USA, but then found out they don't make mini-v brakes. Too bad, guess I'll be getting some Tektros....Good Luck!

[stephenmarklay]

I think you meant the TRP cx9

I have the TRP Mag's with green swiss stop pads.
I highly suggest either the green pads or the yellow.
Pads make a world of difference on your aluminum rims and or / carbon ones.

I would say the only time I wished I'd had more power in the back was during a "frankenbike" type of 50 mile race. We covered dirt trails, horse trails, downhill switchbacks, etc....the cross canti's just don't cut it on the super steep stuff on a cross bike, but I managed ok, who needs brakes anyway.

The Avid Shorty Ultimate's became really popular last year around the midwest near the end of the season.
I have also heard great things about the Avid CX9 - appears like the older xtr v brake design, but works with road levers. I think Molly Cameron or someone "cross famous" was racing them last year.

[stephenmarklay]

Zinn has a really good write up non canti's

The conclusions wer use a fork mount cable stop to reduce or eliminate chatter. You may not be able to do that with your forks.

Second, use shorter pads to reduce brake squeal.

He also talks about the different types of canti's euro style etc.

I need to reread that. I want to get the most powerful with mud clearance secondary as my bike will see a lot less of that and if I do race it this season I will put my Avids on if needed.

Here is the article on shutter:
http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/09/cyclocross/technical-qa-with-lennard-zinn-return-to-cross_101807

This is a really good article, on low profile vs wide euro style (also linear)
It is a little dated but relevant.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2005/10/bikes-and-tech/gimme-a-brake-brake-options-for-cross_9054

[itsflantastic]

http://bgcycles.com/accessories.html

BG makes some pretty fly cantis

[stephenmarklay]

I paid just over 600 bones for my bike. I think 300 cantis would be just wrong :)